Connection structure and terminal block

Abstract

To provide a connection structure capable of suppressing diffusion of foreign substances.SOLUTION: A connection structure 100 is a structure for connecting a conductive bus bar 10 to a connection target. The connection structure 100 includes: a connection unit 18 that is provided in the bus bar 10 and serves as a connection portion of the connection target; and a holder 30 that accommodates foreign substances generated in the connection unit 18. The connection unit 18 includes a screw engagement portion A between a bolt 16 extending in a plate thickness direction of the bus bar 10 and a nut 17 into which the bolt 16 is screwed. In the holder 30, a labyrinth structure 38 is formed by a first recess 36 and a second recess 37 that are a plurality of spaces for accommodating the foreign substances, and a first partition P1 and a second partition P2 that are a partition for partitioning the plurality of spaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure and a terminal block. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a connection structure for fastening a bus bar connected to an electronic component to a terminal of an external connector is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the terminal connection structure (connection structure) described in Patent Document 1, a bus bar accommodated in a storage case and a connector terminal inserted into the storage case from the outside are fastened by a bolt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-187933 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned terminal block, foreign matter such as wear particles are generated in the portion where the bolt is fastened, and this foreign matter can become a problem in that it spreads inside the storage case.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure and a terminal block capable of suppressing the diffusion of foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above objectives, the connection structure is a connection structure for connecting a conductive bus bar to a connection object, and includes a connection portion provided on the bus bar to serve as a connection point for the connection object, and a diffusion prevention portion for accommodating foreign matter generated at the connection portion, the connection portion including a fastening member extending in the plate thickness direction of the bus bar and a threaded engagement portion between a fastened member and an object to be fastened with the fastening member screwed thereto, and the diffusion prevention portion has a labyrinth structure formed by a plurality of spaces for accommodating the foreign matter and partition portions for separating the plurality of spaces.

[0007] A terminal block is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned connection structure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection structure and a terminal block capable of suppressing the diffusion of foreign matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the terminal block after assembly is completed. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a holder that constitutes the connection structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In this embodiment, in the drawings, the arrows X, Y, and Z are directions perpendicular to each other. The central axis direction of the second insertion hole 15 (insertion hole) in the housing 20 described later, that is, the axial direction, is indicated by the arrow Z and is referred to as the "upper-lower direction Z". One side of the upper-lower direction Z is referred to as the "upper side Z1", and the other side is referred to as the "lower side Z2". The front-rear direction of the housing 20 is referred to as the "front-rear direction X (orthogonal direction)", one side of the front-rear direction X is referred to as the "front side X1", and the other side is referred to as the "rear side X2". The width direction of the housing 20 is referred to as the "left-right direction Y (orthogonal direction)", one side of the left-right direction Y is referred to as the "left side Y1", and the other side is referred to as the "right side Y2". The definitions of these directions are merely for convenience of explanation, and do not limit the directions during the manufacture and use of the terminal block 1. In addition, for components such as busbar 10, installation recess 28, receiving portion 32, etc., which are described later and have a plurality of similar components, some of the reference numerals may be omitted to avoid complication.

[0011] The terminal block 1 of the present embodiment is a type of connector that is assembled to an electric device, and connects, for example, one electric device (e.g., a battery) and another electric device (e.g., an inverter) mounted on a vehicle such as an electric car as connection targets. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the terminal block 1 includes a bus bar 10 and a housing 20 that holds the bus bar 10. The bus bars 10 are formed in a plate shape using a conductive metal material, and in the present embodiment, three bus bars 10 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. The bus bar 10 includes a vertical plate portion 11 that extends in the up-down direction Z, and a first connection hole 12 that penetrates the vertical plate portion 11 in the front-rear direction X is formed at a lower end of the vertical plate portion 11. A screw member (not shown) is inserted into the first connection hole 12, and a terminal of an electric wire connected to one of the electric devices as the connection targets is connected to the bus bar 10 via the screw member.

[0012] An upper end of the vertical plate portion 11 is bent toward the front side X1 to form a bent portion 13, and a horizontal plate portion 14 extending toward the front side X1 is continuous with a tip end of the bent portion 13. A second insertion hole 15 (insertion hole) penetrating in the vertical direction Z (i.e., plate thickness direction) is formed in the horizontal plate portion 14. The second insertion hole 15 is a connection portion for a terminal of an electric wire connected to another electric device among the electric devices as the connection target described above, and constitutes a connection portion in this embodiment, through which a bolt 16 (see FIG. 3) as a fastening member described later can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 3, the bolt 16 includes a head portion 16a disposed on the upper side Z1 (one side in the axial direction) of the busbar 10 and a male screw portion 16b inserted into the second insertion hole 15 and extending in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the bolt 16 is composed of a head 16a and an external threaded portion 16b, but this is not limited to this, and a flange bolt having a flange portion protruding radially outward between the head 16a and the external threaded portion 16b may also be used.

[0013] A nut 17 is disposed on the lower end of the male threaded portion 16b as a member to be fastened. The nut 17 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a female threaded portion 17a formed in the center is screwed onto the lower end of the male threaded portion 16b. The screwed portion of the male threaded portion 16b and the female threaded portion 17a constitutes a screw engagement portion A in this embodiment. With the bolt 16 and the nut 17 thus configured, for example, a round terminal of an electric wire connected to the electric device is connected to the busbar 10. The second insertion hole 15 and the screw engagement portion A constitute a connection portion 18 in this embodiment.

[0014] The housing 20 is formed using a resin material. The housing 20 includes a support portion 21 that covers the outer surface of the vertical plate portion 11 of the busbar 10, and a plate-shaped main body portion 22 that extends in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y at the upper end of the support portion 21. The support portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction Z. Three busbars 10 are inserted in the support portion 21 in the up-down direction Z and are fixed in a state in which the outer surface is covered. Various configurations can be used to fix the busbars 10. For example, a through hole (not shown) may be formed in the support portion 21, and the busbars 10 may be inserted into the through hole and then fixed, or the busbars 10 and the support portion 21 may be integrated by molding. A holder accommodating portion 23 that opens to the upper side Z1 and the front side X1 (one side in the orthogonal direction) is formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 22.

[0015] Three holder accommodating portions 23 are formed in accordance with the number of bus bars 10, and are aligned in the left-right direction Y. Inside, a holder 30 (diffusion prevention portion) described later is accommodated. A nut accommodating portion 24 is formed at the upper edge of the holder accommodating portion 23. The nut accommodating portion 24 has a side wall 25 rising from the upper edge of the holder accommodating portion 23 to the upper side Z1, and is open to the upper side Z1 and the front side X1, similar to the holder accommodating portion 23. A nut 17 is accommodated inside the nut accommodating portion 24. A first support protrusion 26 protruding inward in the left-right direction Y is formed at the inner lower end of the side wall 25 located on the left side Y1 and the right side Y2 of the side wall 25 of the nut accommodating portion 24.

[0016] The first support protrusion 26 abuts against the lower surface of the nut 17 and supports the nut 17 toward the upper side Z1. In addition, a second support protrusion 27 protruding inward in the left-right direction Y is formed at the center of the inner surface of the side wall 25 located on the left side Y1 and the right side Y2. The second support protrusion 27 abuts against the side surface of the nut 17 and regulates the displacement of the nut 17 in the left-right direction Y. The holder accommodating portion 23 and the nut accommodating portion 24 thus formed constitute an installation recess 28 that opens to the front side X1 of the housing 20. The nut 17 is accommodated in the installation recess 28 on the upper side Z1, and the holder 30 is accommodated in the installation recess 28 on the lower side Z2.

[0017] The holder 30 is a diffusion prevention part of the present embodiment that prevents foreign matter generated in the above-mentioned connection part 18 (the second insertion hole 15 and the screw engagement part A) from diffusing into the housing 20, and is formed using a resin material and is detachable from the installation recess 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 30 has a plate-shaped shielding part 31 extending in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. The shielding part 31 is a part that shields the opening of the front side X1 of the above-mentioned installation recess 28, and its dimension in the up-down direction Z is formed to be approximately the same as the dimension of the installation recess 28 in the up-down direction Z. A receiving part 32 that protrudes to the rear side X2 is formed on the surface of the shielding part 31 facing the rear side X2. The receiving part 32 is a part that is accommodated in the holder accommodating part 23 of the installation recess 28, and three receiving parts 32 are formed in accordance with the number of the installation recesses 28, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction Y.

[0018] The receiving portion 32 includes a bottom plate 33 having a substantially rectangular plate shape, a frame portion 34 rising from an edge of the bottom plate 33 to the upper side Z1, and a tube portion 35 provided in the center of the bottom plate 33. In this embodiment, the tube portion 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape, extends to the upper side Z1, and opens to the upper side Z1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the receiving portion 32 is accommodated in the holder accommodation portion 23 and the nut 17 is accommodated in the nut accommodation portion 24, the central axis of the tube portion 35 is coaxial with the central axis of the second insertion hole 15 and the central axis of the nut 17. In this state, the inside of the tube portion 35 is disposed at least on the lower side Z2 of the screw engagement portion A and opens toward the connection portion 18, and the inside of the tube portion 35 forms the first recess 36 (space) of this embodiment. In addition, in the receiving portion 32, the portion between the outer surface of the tubular portion 35 and the inner surface of the frame portion 34 covers the first recess 36 around the central axis (axis) of the screw engagement portion A and, like the first recess 36, is open toward the connection portion 18, thereby forming the second recess 37 (space) of this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface of the shielding part 31 facing the rear side X2, a connecting part 39 is formed between the receiving parts 32, protruding toward the rear side X2. The connecting part 39 is a part that fixes the holder 30 installed in the installation recess 28 to the housing 20, and a total of two connecting parts 39 are formed side by side in the left-right direction Y. The connecting part 39 includes a connecting body 39a and an insertion piece 39b extending from the rear end of the connecting body 39a to the rear side X2. The connecting body 39a is formed in a substantially rectangular rod shape and extends to the rear side X2. When the holder 30 is installed in the installation recess 28, the connecting body 39a is sandwiched in the left-right direction Y by the side walls 25 of the nut accommodating part 24, and displacement in the left-right direction Y is restricted. The insertion piece 39b is formed in a plate shape, extends to the rear side X2, and is inserted into a through hole 19 (see FIG. 3) in the front-rear direction X provided in the housing 20. A claw portion 39c that protrudes downward Z2 is formed at the rear end of the insertion piece 39b, and the claw portion 39c functions as a stopper that prevents the insertion piece 39b from slipping out of the through hole.

[0020] With this configuration, when the holder 30 is installed in the installation recess 28, the central axis of the second insertion hole 15, the central axis of the nut 17, and the central axis of the tube portion 35 are coaxial with each other, as described above. The first recess 36 and the second recess 37 open toward the connection portion 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the shielding portion 31 overlaps with the opening of the installation recess 28 on the front side X1 when viewed from the front side X1. That is, the shielding portion 31 shields the opening of the installation recess 28. With this configuration, even if foreign matter such as wear powder generated in the connection portion 18 tries to diffuse to the lower side Z2, the foreign matter falls into the first recess 36 and is contained in the first recess 36, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the foreign matter.

[0021] In addition, if a foreign object accommodated in the first recess 36 is about to fly up or to diffuse outside the first recess 36, the foreign object is accommodated in the second recess 37 that covers the first recess 36, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the foreign object. In addition, by forming the first recess 36 and the second recess 37, foreign objects that are diffused from the connection portion 18 without being accommodated in the first recess 36 can also be accommodated directly in the second recess 37. In addition, if a foreign object accommodated in the second recess 37 is about to fly up or to diffuse outside the second recess 37, the foreign object can also be accommodated in the first recess 36. That is, the holder 30 is provided with a plurality of spaces that accommodate foreign objects, and the diffusion of foreign objects is prevented in two stages by the first recess 36 and the second recess 37.

[0022] The boundary between the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 constitutes a first partition P1 (partition) that separates the multiple spaces. The boundary between the second recess 37 and the outside of the holder 30 constitutes a second partition P2 (partition) that separates the multiple spaces. By providing the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, the virtual diffusion path of the foreign matter becomes a complex diffusion path that overcomes the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, respectively. Therefore, the diffusion speed of the foreign matter decreases when it overcomes the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, so that the diffusion of the foreign matter is suppressed. In this embodiment, the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 (multiple spaces that accommodate foreign matter) and the first partition P1 and the second partition P2 (partition) that separate the multiple spaces are collectively referred to as a labyrinth structure 38.

[0023] From the viewpoint of reliably accommodating foreign matter and the like generated at the connection portion 18, it is preferable to mold the opening area of ​​the first recess 36 to be larger than the opening area of ​​the nut 17. Also, it is preferable to set the dimension of the second recess 37 from the end on the left side Y1 to the end on the right side Y2 and the dimension from the end on the front side X1 to the end on the rear side X2, i.e., the dimension in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction Z, to be larger than the dimension of the nut 17 in the same direction.

[0024] The connection portion 18 and the holder 30 configured as described above constitute a connection structure 100 for connecting the busbar 10 to a connection object. Specifically, the connection structure 100 is a connection structure 100 for connecting a conductive busbar 10 to a connection object, and includes a connection portion 18 that is provided on the busbar 10 and serves as a connection point of the connection object. The connection structure 100 also includes a holder 30 for accommodating foreign matter generated in the connection portion 18. The connection portion 18 includes a thread engagement portion A for a bolt 16 and a nut 17. The holder 30 includes a first recess 36 and a second recess 37 that are a plurality of spaces for accommodating foreign matter, and a first partition portion P1 and a second partition portion P2 that are partition portions that divide the plurality of spaces. The first recess 36, the second recess 37, the first partition portion P1, and the second partition portion P2 constitute a labyrinth structure 38.

[0025] Next, the assembly of the terminal block 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 1 having the connection structure 100, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block 1 in a state where the assembly is completed. First, the bus bar 10 and the housing 20 are integrally formed by molding. Then, the nuts 17 are respectively installed in the nut accommodating portions 24 of the installation recesses 28. Next, the holder 30 is prepared and arranged so that the end of the rear side X2 of the receiving portion 32 faces the opening of the holder accommodating portion 23 in the installation recesses 28 of the housing 20 in the front-rear direction X. Then, the holder 30 in this state is slid to the rear side X2 and assembled to the holder accommodating portion 23. At this time, each receiving portion 32 is inserted into each holder accommodating portion 23. At this time, the connecting body 39a of each connecting portion 39 is inserted between the side wall 25 of one nut accommodating portion 24 and the side wall 25 of the other nut accommodating portion 24. Furthermore, the insertion pieces 39b of each connecting portion 39 are inserted into the through-holes 19 of the housing 20. Then, when the central axes of the second insertion hole 15, the nut 17, and the cylindrical portion 35 are coaxial, the assembly of the holder 30 is completed.

[0026] As a result, the assembly of the terminal block 1 is completed as shown in FIG. 2. In the terminal block 1 in this state, the horizontal plate portion 14 of the busbar 10 and the connection target are connected and fixed by screwing the bolt 16 and the nut 17. At this time, foreign matter such as wear powder may be generated in the screw engagement portion A, but as described above, the labyrinth structure 38 is provided to suppress the diffusion of the foreign matter. Unlike the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of wear powder by crimping and fixing a member such as a cap to the opening on the opposite side of the side where the bolt 16 is arranged of each nut 17. However, in this case, a dedicated crimping machine is required, and a total of six components, including three nuts 17 and three caps, are required, so that the manufacturing of the terminal block 1 is not easy. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the diffusion of foreign matter generated from the three nuts 17 can be suppressed by preparing one holder 30. In addition, as described above, the holder 30 can be assembled to the housing 20 by inserting it into the holder accommodating portion 23, so that no dedicated equipment or the like is required for assembly. Therefore, the number of parts of the terminal block 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the terminal block 1 can be reduced.

[0027] As described above, according to the embodiment described above, by providing the labyrinth structure 38 in the holder 30 (diffusion prevention portion), foreign matter such as wear powder diffusing from the connection portion 18 such as the screw engagement portion A can be contained in the first recess 36 (space). In addition, by providing the labyrinth structure 38, the above-mentioned foreign matter diffusing around the first recess 36 can be contained in the second recess 37 (space). This structure can prevent the diffusion of foreign matter in two stages. In addition, by providing the labyrinth structure 38, the virtual diffusion path of the foreign matter can be a complex diffusion path that overcomes the first partition portion P1 and the second partition portion P2 (partition portion). Therefore, the diffusion speed of the foreign matter can be reduced by the first partition portion P1 and the second partition portion P2, and the diffusion of the foreign matter can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connection structure 100 that can suppress the diffusion of the foreign matter.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, in a structure in which the busbar 10 is sandwiched in the plate thickness direction between the head 16a of the bolt 16 and the nut 17, the holder 30 (diffusion prevention part) arranged on the lower side Z2 (the other side in the axial direction) of the nut 17 can suppress diffusion of foreign matter.

[0029] Moreover, according to the above-described embodiment, the opening area of ​​the first recess 36 is larger than the opening area of ​​the nut 17, so that foreign matter that falls downward from the female thread portion 17a of the nut 17 can be reliably contained in the first recess 36. Moreover, the dimensions of the second recess 37 in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y (orthogonal directions) are set to be larger than the dimensions of the nut 17 in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y (orthogonal directions). Due to this setting, even if there is a foreign matter that cannot be contained in the first recess 36, the foreign matter can be reliably contained on the lower side Z2 of the nut 17. Therefore, the diffusion of foreign matter can be further suppressed.

[0030] According to the embodiment described above, the terminal block 1 can be configured using the connection structure 100 that can suppress the diffusion of foreign matter.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the nut 17 and the holder 30 are housed in the installation recess 28 of the housing 20, thereby preventing the diffusion of foreign matter. In this case, the shielding portion 31 of the holder 30 overlaps with the opening of the front side X1 of the installation recess 28 when viewed from the front side X1 (one side in the orthogonal direction), thereby making it possible to make the opening area of ​​the opening zero at a maximum. Therefore, the diffusion of foreign matter from the opening of the installation recess 28 can be suppressed.

[0032] The above describes in detail the embodiments of the terminal block 1 and the connection structure 100 with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0033] For example, in this embodiment, a first recess 36 formed inside the cylindrical tube portion 35 and a second recess 37 formed in a portion between the outer surface of the tube portion 35 and the inner surface of the frame portion 34 constitute a plurality of spaces. Then, a partition portion is constituted by the first partition portion P1 and the second partition portion P2. Then, the labyrinth structure 38 is constituted by these spaces and partition portions. However, the structure of the labyrinth structure 38 is not limited to this. That is, as long as it has a plurality of spaces for accommodating foreign objects and partition portions that separate the plurality of spaces, the shape and number of the spaces can be appropriately changed. Also, in this embodiment, the screw engagement portion A is constituted by the male thread portion 16b of the bolt 16 and the female thread portion 17a of the nut 17, but the structure of the screw engagement portion A is not limited to this. For example, a female thread portion may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole 15, and the female thread portion and the male thread portion 16b may constitute the screw engagement portion A. Furthermore, although the nut 17 is separate from the housing 20, the nut 17 may be provided integrally with the housing 20. Similarly, the bolt 16 may be provided integrally with the housing 20.

[0034] In this embodiment, the holder 30 is provided with a shielding portion 31, and the dimension of the shielding portion 31 in the up-down direction Z is set to be approximately the same as the dimension of the installation recess 28 in the up-down direction Z. However, the dimension of the shielding portion 31 in the up-down direction Z can be changed as appropriate. Also, the shielding portion 31 itself can be omitted. The connection structure 100 of this embodiment is not limited to the terminal block 1, and can be applied to various configurations including a connection portion 18 that connects the bus bar 10 to a connection target, and can achieve the same actions and effects as this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] A Thread engagement part P1 First partition (partition) P2 Second partition (partition) 10 Busbar 16 Bolt (fastening member) 17 Nut (fastened part) 18 Connection 30 Holder (diffusion prevention part) 36 First recess (space) 37 Second recess (space) 38 Labyrinth Structure 100 Connection structure

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting a conductive bus bar to a connection object, a connection portion provided on the bus bar and serving as a connection point for a connection target; A diffusion prevention part that contains foreign matter generated at the connection part, the connection portion includes a threaded engagement portion between a fastening member extending in a thickness direction of the bus bar and a fastened member into which the fastening member is screwed, A connection structure, characterized in that the diffusion prevention portion has a labyrinth structure formed by a plurality of spaces for accommodating the foreign matter and partition portions that separate the plurality of spaces.

2. the labyrinth structure includes a first recess disposed on at least the other axial side of the screw engagement portion and opening toward the connection portion, and a second recess covering the first recess around the axis of the screw engagement portion and opening toward the connection portion, an interior of the first recess and an interior of the second recess constitute the space; 2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a boundary between the first recess and the second recess constitutes the partition.

3. The connection portion includes an insertion hole penetrating the bus bar in a plate thickness direction, the fastening member is a bolt including a head portion disposed on one side of the bus bar in the axial direction and a male thread portion inserted into the insertion hole, the fastened member is a nut disposed on the other side of the bus bar in the axial direction and including a female thread portion that screws into the male thread portion, The male thread portion and the female thread portion constitute the screw engagement portion, The connection structure according to claim 2 , wherein the diffusion prevention portion is disposed on the other side of the nut in the axial direction.

4. The plate thickness direction is the vertical direction, The one axial direction side is an upper side, The other axial direction side is a lower side, An opening area of ​​the first recess is larger than an opening area of ​​the nut, The connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein a dimension of the second recess in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is larger than a dimension of the nut in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

5. A terminal block comprising the connection structure according to claim 4.

6. a housing for holding the bus bar; The housing is provided with an installation recess that opens to one side in the orthogonal direction, The nut is accommodated in the upper side of the installation recess, The diffusion prevention part is accommodated on the lower side of the installation recess, 6. The terminal block according to claim 5, wherein the diffusion prevention portion is provided with a shielding portion that overlaps the opening of the installation recess when viewed from one side in the orthogonal direction.

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